Modular spool valve

Abstract

A control valve comprising a plurality of interchangeable valve body modules, each module having a main valve cavity and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating; and at least one interchangeable gasket disposed between adjacent modules and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the communication ports between adjacent valve body modules, wherein the gasket is further configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports. In one embodiment, each valve body module further includes a passage communicating with the main valve cavity. In this case, the gasket may be configured to selectively communicate between the passage and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports, thereby selectively communicating between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports through the passage by selective orientation of the gasket.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A control valve comprising:
 a plurality of interchangeable valve body modules, each module having two mating surfaces, an exterior surface between the mating surfaces, a main valve cavity communicating between the mating surfaces, a main port communicating between the exterior surface and the main valve cavity, and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating between the mating surfaces; 
 at least one interchangeable gasket disposed between adjacent mating surfaces and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the cross valve communication ports between adjacent valve body modules; 
 wherein the gasket is further configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports; and 
 wherein the gasket is configured to selectively isolate the main valve cavity and the cross valve communication ports. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises three valve body modules, at least two gaskets, a valve spool extending along the main valve cavities of the valve body modules and gaskets, and two endcaps. 
     
     
       3. The valve as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein a first one of the valve body modules is oriented in a first direction with its main port forming an input port of the valve, wherein a second one of the valve body modules is oriented in a second direction with its main port forming a common port of the valve, and wherein a third one of the valve body modules is oriented in the first direction with its main port forming an exhaust port of the valve. 
     
     
       4. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the main ports of one of the valve body modules forms an input port of the valve which is communicated through each of the valve body modules by the cross valve communication ports. 
     
     
       5. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the main ports of one of the valve body modules forms an exhaust port of the valve which is communicated through each of the valve body modules by the cross valve communication ports. 
     
     
       6. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one of the main ports of one of the valve body modules forms a common port of the valve which is communicated through each of the valve body modules by the cross valve communication ports. 
     
     
       7. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the valve body modules are identical. 
     
     
       8. The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each valve body module further includes a passage communicating between the main valve cavity and one of the two mating surfaces. 
     
     
       9. The valve as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the gasket is configured to individually communicate each cross valve communication port between adjacent valve body modules and selectively communicate between the passage and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports, thereby selectively communicating between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports through the passage by selective orientation of the gasket. 
     
     
       10. A control valve comprising:
 a three identical valve body modules, each module having two mating surfaces, an exterior surface between the mating surfaces, a main valve cavity communicating between the mating surfaces, a passage communicating between the main valve cavity and one of the two mating surfaces, a main port communicating between the exterior surface and the main valve cavity, and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating between the mating surfaces; 
 at least two identical gaskets, each gasket disposed between adjacent mating surfaces and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the cross valve communication ports between adjacent valve body modules; 
 wherein the gaskets are further configured to selectively communicate between the passage and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports; 
 wherein the gasket is configured to communicate the passage with a first one of the cross valve communication ports in a first orientation; 
 wherein the gasket is configured to communicate the passage with a second one of the cross valve communication ports in a second orientation: and 
 wherein the gasket is configured to isolate the passage from the cross valve communication ports in a third orientation. 
 
     
     
       11. The valve as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the gasket is configured to isolate the passage from the cross valve communication ports in a fourth orientation. 
     
     
       12. A control valve comprising:
 a plurality of interchangeable valve body modules, each module having two mating surfaces, an exterior surface between the mating surfaces, a main valve cavity communicating between the mating surfaces, a main port communicating between the exterior surface and the main valve cavity, and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating between the mating surfaces; 
 at least one interchangeable gasket disposed between adjacent mating surfaces and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the cross valve communication ports between adjacent valve body modules; and 
 wherein the gasket is further configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports; 
 wherein each valve body module further includes a passage communicating between the main valve cavity and one of the two mating surfaces, and 
 wherein the gasket is configured to individually communicate each cross valve communication port between adjacent valve body modules and selectively communicate between the passage and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports, thereby selectively communicating between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports through the passage by selective orientation of the gasket. 
 
     
     
       13. The valve as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the gasket is configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports by selective orientation of the gasket. 
     
     
       14. The valve as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the gasket is configured to communicate between the main valve cavity and a first one of the cross valve communication ports in a first orientation. 
     
     
       15. The valve as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the gasket is configured to communicate between the main valve cavity and a second one of the cross valve communication ports in a second orientation. 
     
     
       16. The valve as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the gasket is configured to isolate the main valve cavity from the cross valve communication ports in a third orientation. 
     
     
       17. The valve as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the gasket is configured to isolate the main valve cavity from the cross valve communication ports in a fourth orientation.